| Name |
Lorenzo Neal |
| Height |
5 ft 11 in |
| Naionality |
American |
| Date of Birth |
27-December-1970 |
| Place of Birth |
Hanford, California, U.S. |
| Famous for |
Football Player |
Lorenzo Neal is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for Fresno State University. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders.
Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000+ yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007. Neal was selected in the fourth round (89th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Neal, as a Halfback made his NFL debut on September 5, against the Houston Oilers and led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 89 yards, it was his first of two starts as a rookie. Just seven days later, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a road game against the Atlanta Falcons. Then on September 15, he was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season. He was later told he would not be able to run as he had before, so his coaches proposed the idea that he be switched to fullback. Then in 1994, he set career high with 30 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown. In 1995, he caught a career-long 69-yard touchdown pass during a road game against the New England Patriots on December 3. In 1996, he set career highs with 31 receptions for 194 receiving yards in his last season with the Saints.
Neal was signed by the Oakland Raiders on May 8, 2009. He was waived / injured on August 19 to make room for safety Rashad Baker and subsequently reverted to injured reserve. He was released with an injury settlement on August 26. He was expected to push Oren O'Neal and Luke Lawton for the starting fullback job. In September 2009, Neal was selected to the Sporting News Magazine's Team of the Decade for the 2000s. He spent the rest of the 2009–10 season out of football.
